Breast Cancer for Dummies

by Ronit Elk, Monica Morrow

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with breast cancer, you're probably confused, afraid, shocked, or even angry. Or you may be all of the above. Let this book become your trusted manual. Discover more about the cancer, explore treatment options, find ways to make this part of your life easier. Let shared experiences serve as your knowledgeable guide and anchor to help you make wise and confident choices. Think of breast cancer as a journey and this book as your roadmap. Have you already been diagnosed? In that case, this book can help you explore these important truths: All the information in this book is based on the most recent research findings, the clinical expertise of oncologists, and the invaluable experiences of the women who have walked this road before. Breast Cancer For Dummies covers all of the following topics and more in simple, easy-to-understand terms: This book can help you feel like you have a sister who's a doctor, a sister who tells you what to expect every step of the way, who gives you the best advice she can, and guides you along the way. (Of course, there is absolutely no replacement for advice about you from your own doctor.) You'll feel empowered to know and understand what's going on in your body, so that you can become a part of your own treatment team and make decisions along with your doctors and your family.

360 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

While looking through a number of highly rated books after finding a lump in my breast, I kept turning to this book as the most accessible. It's easy to read and quickly gives a lay of the land so to speak. There are nice boxes with different patients' stories or jokes or insights. There are lots of helpful tables and lists of questions to ask. My lump turned out to be benign, but I was able to mentally prepare for the diagnostic process and get acquainted with potential outcomes using this book.

[Alie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful book for someone who was just diagnosed and wants some quick, brief information to tide them over until they have calmed down enough to do some real research. It is really a good book to give to family members so that they have a clue as to what is happening. It is short and breezy enough that it is readable. For anyone that has done any preliminary research, this is useless because it just skims the surface of very complicated issues that a woman will face that she will need more information to make decisions around. However, as a first, wtf book, this was good.

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I checked Amazon to see if there were any later-more update-editions. The answer being no. But I also started reading customer reviews and found a lot of criticism directed at the authors for their "condescending" tone. I can only assume that those "reviewers" never read anything from the Dummies or Complete Idiots series of publications. So they get a pass.
I found this book offered a clear explanation as to various aspects of breast cancer and the challenges that await anyone who has received the diagnosis.
If also offers ways to move through the cancer and on with one's life as well as helping those around the patient cope and assist with their loved one's diagnosis.
I do have two criticisms: there were just too many tables regarding various aspects of breast cancer and it's treatment but that is the nature of that beast.
The other shortcoming of this book is that it was published in 2003 so it stands to reason that there has been progress regarding treatment that are not mentioned but there is always the internet to fill the gap.
It was a helpful and informative guide-may you never have reason to need it.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up in hopes that it would help me support a friend who was recently diagnosed. I love the Dummies series of books because they provide lots of information in a way that is easy to understand. This book was written for the person who has been diagnosed, so much of it wasn't applicable to me, but I read the parts that I thought would help me understand what my friend is and will be going through.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book as a gift for my cousin who was dealing with BC without access to the internet, and not close enough to her hospital to participate in a support group. I read it before I gave it to her. Little did I know that a year later, I would be following the same path.

[Christine Hewitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great synopsis for getting familiar with all the medical terms, tests and treatments of breast cancer.

[Cari Lynn Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful

This book is full of relevant information, helpful hints, and real life stories. A good book anyone looking for any information on breast cancer.